Magnetospheric electron densities at high latitudes as measured by the IMAGE 
Radio Plasma Imager

V. Henize (1); P. Reiff (1), B. Reinisch (2)

(1) Rice Space Institute, Rice University
(2) Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Massachusetts Lowell
henize@rice.edu


Among other capabilities, the Radio Plasma Imager (RPI), aboard the IMAGE
satellite, can be used effectively as a topside sounder. Inversions performed on
returns from X-mode waves guided along magnetic field lines can yield electron
densities along that field line. At L-shells above the plasmapause, these
measurements during quiet times are used to construct an empirical model of the
polar cap electron density profile in three dimensions.

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Presented at the 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.  
10-19 October 2002